The dog days of summer are officially here, and The Curious Uptowner will be posting on an abbreviated schedule for the next few weeks. In the meantime, try out these warm-weather ideas below or simply scroll through the archives—there’s plenty to discover either way.
1. Enjoy a locally-made frozen treat: Is there anything more summery than a leisurely stroll to a neighborhood spot making its own frozen treats? Some uptown standouts include Sugar Hill Creamery, Harlem's only family-owned ice cream shop; Harlem Shake, mixing up some of the best milkshakes in the city; and Inwood's Choc NYC, serving its own small-batch ice cream, ice cream sandwiches (red velvet cake with vanilla ice cream, anyone?) and sorbet from noon to closing every day.
2. Watch free outdoor theater in the park: You've got six more days to go see the Classical Theatre of Harlem's modern, music-and-dance-filled retelling of Euripides' "The Bacchae," complete with a dreadlocked main character named Preacher D (aka Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and ecstasy) and his euphoric groupies, the Baquettes. The free nightly performances run this week from Tuesday to Sunday at 8:30pm in Marcus Garvey Park.
3. LOL on a boat: Ever watched live comedy on a boat? Head to the Mother Effin' Boat Show on the decommissioned USS Baylander on the West Harlem Piers and you can finally say you have. The laugh fest starts at 7pm this Thursday, July 25 and includes performances by comedians from HBO, Comedy Central, and Netflix. Tickets are $25.
4. Eat pizza outdoors like an Italian: Many of Harlem's best Italian restaurants with brick-oven pizza also have sidewalk patios, so now's the perfect time to pretend like you're in Italy and order an artisanal pie with a side of sky. Top local spots include Babbalucci on Lenox, Fumo on Amsterdam or Bono Trattoria on Broadway.
"Solares 2" by Alexis Duque
5. See summer through the eyes of an artist: Strivers' Row gallery Faction Art Projects debuts its latest show, "Summertime," this Saturday, July 27, featuring five artists interpreting summer in their own unique way, including Alexis Duque, Julio Valdez, and Lina Puerta.
